Groundbreaking set for Vernon Filley Art Museum

Thursday

Jan 10, 2013 at 9:38 AMJan 10, 2013 at 9:44 AM

Ceremony planned for Feb. 1 south of the Pratt Public Library.

The Vernon Filley Art Museum Foundation is proud to announce plans to construct an art museum in Pratt. 2013 promises to be an exciting and fulfilling year for citizens of Pratt who are interested in the arts. Final details and negotiations have been completed which pave the way for the construction and opening of the much anticipated Vernon W. Filley Art Museum.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Friday Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. The museum will be located at 401 South Jackson adjacent to the Pratt Public Library and should be completed by the winter of 2013.

The architectural firm of Schaefer, Johnson, Cox, Frey is designing the project. Not only have they been involved locally in the recent addition to Pratt High School but partner J. Samuel Frey has designed a number of museum spaces including Exploration Place in Wichita and the most recent renovation and 3 story entrance for the Wichita Art Museum. J. A. Knight and Sons Inc. will build the museum.

The 4,444 square foot Vernon W. Filley Art Museum will house 2 large galleries, conservation and storage space for art, as well as offices, a gift shop and a large lobby. Situated between the museum and the Pratt Public Library will be an enclosed, landscaped, exterior courtyard.

The Vernon Filley Art Museum Foundation is a 501c3 corporation. Donations and gifts are tax deductible. The Foundation has the funds to build the museum. Operation will be funded by memberships, admission donations, fund raisers, and gifts and bequests.

With the completion of the museum building the dream of Mimi Filley to have a space to display the museum's permanent art collection as well as allowing space for visiting exhibits, artists and instruction will be realized. Conveniently located in the heart of Pratt, and near both Liberty Middle School and Pratt High School the museum will offer access to the arts to the students and citizens of Pratt and Central Kansas. It will also provide a cultural center to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Pratt.

Questions and comments may be directed to Stan Reimer, board chairman.

About the design

"The opportunity to construct the new Vernon W. Filley Art Museum immediately adjacent to the existing library presents a unique opportunity to unify the facilities for their mutual advantage and public benefit.

The museum will be positioned south of the library, with its stone walls extended to enclose an intimate sculpture garden between, thereby integrating the two facilities into a larger campus appearance, while preserving their individual autonomy."